This isn't a recent habit, either. Doris's daughter, Cynthia, said her mother has been promising to clear a path to the toilet for eight years.

The filth was building a literal and emotional wall between Doris and her family -- and yet, she was still reluctant to get rid of a lot of her junk.

"You love your crap more than you love us," said Cynthia. "That's how we feel."

The push from her daughter and the encouragement from her granddaughter was just what Doris needed to finally get rid of her garbage -- oh, and also the dead rats that were squished in between the hoard pile.